Performance monitor system for aircraft simulator

• US 4,457,716 A
• Filed: 07/15/1981
• Issued: 07/03/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Singer PLC (Hayleys Plc)
• Inventors: Stumpf, Adolph P., McNally, Ray F., Eserhaut, Eldon D., Gutridge, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hum, Vance Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Application Number:
  US06/283,411
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 434/43, 434/32, 434/34, 434/29, 434/14, 434/20, 358/104
• US Class Current: 434/43
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/326 the image being transformed by optical means

Abstract

In an optical sight display for a fighter aircraft pilot training simulator, a performance monitor system is described as having a visual display for providing a pictorial representation (10) to a trainee'"'"'s eye view (11) of real-time information. Electronic apparatus (31) such as a TV camera generates electrical signals responsive to visual images developed on a combining glass (13), and by means of a particularly described optical arrangement (lens 24, 27 & 30) when used with a fiber-optic bundle (29), the camera (31) is positioned remotely, out of the trainee'"'"'s normal field-of-view. Due to the limited space in a fighter aircraft, this disclosed arrangement of component parts permit the generation of a substantially duplicate pictorial representation at an instructor'"'"'s station for monitoring the performance of a trainee.

Claims

1. A performance monitor system for an optical sight display in a fighter aircraft pilot training simulator, comprising:

visual display means for providing a pictorial representation, including a target, to a trainee pilot'"'"'s line-of-sight in a view of real-time information in said training simulator;

projector means, positioned out of said trainee pilot'"'"'s line-of-sight, to project a gunsight reticle toward said trainee pilot'"'"'s line-of-sight;

combining glass means to produce to said trainee pilot a view of said pictorial representations as seen through said gunsight reticle;

an electronic camera means positioned remotely relative to said trainee pilot'"'"'s line-of-sight;

optical means located out of a trainee'"'"'s normal field-of-view so that said view as seen by said trainee pilot through said projected gunsight reticle is visible to both said trainee pilot and to said remotely positioned electronic camera means;

said optical means includes prism lens means located in a predetermined relationship relative to said combining glass means to produce a duplicate view of said view as seen by said trainee pilot through said gunsight reticle;

bundles of flexible fiber-optic means to convey said duplicate image of said trainee pilot'"'"'s view to said remotely positioned electronic camera means;

camera pick-up lens means positioned between said prism lens means and one end of said bundles of fiber-optic means;

relay lens means positioned between the opposite end of said bundles of fiber-optic means that from said one end and said remotely positioned electronic camera means; and

means to adjust the physical position of said optical means relative to said combining glass means to locate and to orient said prism lens means in a predetermined manner relative to said combining glass means;

whereby electrical signals generated by said electronic camera means are available to produce a duplicate pictorial representation for monitoring the performance of a trainee pilot and so that an instructor can see the same view that the trainee pilot sees through the gunsight reticle.

2. A performance monitor system of claims 1 including cathode ray tube monitor means connected to receive the electrical signals generated by said electronic means.

3. A performance monitor system of claim 1 including computer generated graphic display means to produce visually information responsive to predetermined aspects of said simulator.

4. A performance monitor system of claim 1 including camera means to record said visually produced information.

5. A performance monitor system of claim 4 wherein said camera means is in the form of an electronic video camera.

6. A performance monitor system of claim 5 including circuit means to combine said visually produced information with said visual images determined by said pictorial representations on another cathode ray tube monitor.

7. A performance monitor system of claim 5 including video tape recorder means connected to make a record of said visually produced information produced by said video camera and said visual images generated by said electronic means.

8. A performance monitor system of claim 1 wherein said means to adjust includes a fixed-position support, and table means adjustable in position relative to said support.

9. A performance monitor system of claim 8 wherein said fixed-position support includes a substantially flat surface attached at opposite ends to members extending at an angle for mounting in a predetermined fixed location within said fighter aircraft simulator.